|
March Event Calendar
Check out the VIPTA Event Calendar for more details and to register for events.
VIPTA Events in March
|
|
Featured Training Resource
Cleaning with Purpose: EVS and the Fight Against HAIs
Infection prevention isn’t ONLY about hand hygiene and PPE—it starts with the very environment we work in. Environmental Services (EVS) professionals are on the front lines of infection prevention, playing a critical role in stopping multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and keeping patients, staff, and visitors safe.
What to Expect
These resources highlight the essential role of EVS teams in infection prevention, from stopping the spread of MDROs to creating a safe environment for patients, residents and staff.
How to Use These Resources
-
Incorporate them into EVS team huddles and training sessions.
-
Use videos as onboarding tools for new EVS staff.
-
Empower EVS teams by reinforcing their critical role in healthcare safety.
Target Audience: Essential IPC Education Level
|
 |
Cleaning and Disinfection
|
|
Regulation & Guidance Updates |
|
✅Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Health Advisory: Ebola Outbreak Caused by Sudan virus in Uganda (2/6/2025)
- Review CDC's recommendations for U.S. public health departments and clinicians about case identification, testing, and biosafety considerations in clinical laboratories.
- As a precaution and because there are other viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks in East Africa, CDC is sharing best practices to raise awareness about this outbreak.
✅Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
- Clinician Letter: Raising Awareness About an Ebola Disease Outbreak Caused by Sudan Virus in Uganda (2/11/2025)
- Shares CDC recommendations for clinicians (see Ebola Health Advisory for more details)
- Reminds clinicians to immediately contact the local health department to report any patient with compatible signs and symptoms of Sudan virus disease and an epidemiologic risk factor.
- Clinician Letter: Avian Influenza Update for Virginia (1/31/2025)
- Avian influenza A(H5) has not been detected in people or dairy cattle in Virginia. It has recently been detected in Virginia in wild birds, commercial poultry, and in birds housed in a zoo collection. These detections are not unexpected, as avian influenza A(H5) virus is currently widely circulating in the environment. The risk from avian influenza viruses to the public remains low. People with job-related or recreational exposure to birds or other avian influenza virus-infected animals are at greater risk of infection.
- Clinicians should consider the possibility of avian influenza virus infection in persons showing signs or symptoms of acute respiratory illness or conjunctivitis who have a relevant exposure history. This includes people who have had contact with potentially infected sick or dead birds, livestock, or other animals or animal products within 10 days before their symptom onset.
|
|
|
Cheers for Peers
✨ Celebrating Sue Moeslein’s Dedication to Mentorship
Susan (Sue) Moeslein is not just a leader in infection prevention, she’s a mentor shaping the next generation of professionals. With over 40 years in healthcare and 17 years as an infection preventionist (IP), Sue has been a steadfast advocate for patient safety and quality of care. With a diverse background spanning various healthcare settings and roles including infection prevention and care management, Sue has brought her wealth of experience to Health Quality Innovators (HQI).
Sue is passionate about mentoring the next generation of IPs. As co-chair of the APIC-Virginia/VDH IP Mentorship Program, she has been instrumental in the program’s success. Recognizing the challenges faced by early-career IPs, Sue played a key role in developing this structured, low-burden mentorship program. By pairing experienced IPs with newcomers, the program fosters professional growth, enhances knowledge sharing, and standardizes best practices across the field. Sue’s dedication helped create a scalable model that supports both mentors and mentees while reducing the workload on seasoned professionals.
Thanks to her efforts, the mentorship program has seen high engagement, strong retention rates, and overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants. With structured learning modules, interactive discussions, and continuing education credits, mentees gain the skills and confidence needed to excel in infection prevention.
Sue’s passion for mentorship embodies the spirit of collaboration and leadership. Her work ensures that infection prevention professionals across Virginia are supported, empowered, and prepared for success.
Fun Facts About Sue
- Celebrating her 43rd wedding anniversary this year
- Has 3 grandchildren
- Registered nurse for 42 years
- In her spare time, she loves to quilt (and is very good at it)
|
 Displayed in an "About Me" as part of Sue’s Williamsburg Piecemakers Quilt Guild challenge in the Mancuso Mid Atlantic Quilt show in Hampton.
|
|
Search the VIPTA library of curated infection prevention and control (IPC) education and training resources. The IPC Education & Training Resource Library includes state and national resources related to healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance and/or IPC. |
|
 |
|
|
Subscribe to the Bulletin
Was the VIPTA Bulletin forwarded to you? Subscribe and get the VIPTA Bulletin sent directly to you!
|
We Want to Hear From You
Your feedback matters to VIPTA. Help us improve or ask questions using the VIPTA feedback form.
|
|
|
|
